Iliad Iliad andand Odyssey OdysseyThe Culture, the Time, the AuthorThe Culture, the Time, the Author

OriginOrigin The Trojan War, according The Trojan War, according to most historians, took placeto most historians, took place in 13in 13thth-11-11thth century B.C. century B.C. around modern day Turkey.around modern day Turkey.

The The IliadIliad and the and the Odyssey Odyssey came into came into existence around 8existence around 8thth-7-7thth century B.C. in the century B.C. in the oral form, making it the oldest extant (still oral form, making it the oldest extant (still existing) pieces of Greek literature today.existing) pieces of Greek literature today.

Poets would recite the poem for fourteen Poets would recite the poem for fourteen hours straight for audiences who would come hours straight for audiences who would come and go.and go.

HomerHomer He is the He is the ““authorauthor”” of the of the

IliadIliad and and OdysseyOdyssey. But . But many speculate whether he many speculate whether he was a single man or a was a single man or a accumulation of many accumulation of many poets.poets.

There are many different There are many different tales on his origin as a tales on his origin as a single entity.single entity.

He created the tales in He created the tales in Dactylic hexameterDactylic hexameter – –

to give the poetry a sing-to give the poetry a sing-song rhythm.song rhythm.

The Guest-Host RelationshipThe Guest-Host Relationship Known as Known as ““XENIAXENIA”” (hospitality) – under the command of Zeus (hospitality) – under the command of Zeus

Xenia consists of three basic rules:Xenia consists of three basic rules: The respect from host to guest, the respect from guest to host, and the The respect from host to guest, the respect from guest to host, and the

parting gift from host to guest. The host must be hospitable to the guest parting gift from host to guest. The host must be hospitable to the guest and provide him with food and drink and a bath, if required.and provide him with food and drink and a bath, if required.

It is not polite to ask questions until the guest has stated his needs. The It is not polite to ask questions until the guest has stated his needs. The guest must be courteous to his host and not be a burden.guest must be courteous to his host and not be a burden.

The parting gift is to show the host's honor at receiving the guest. This The parting gift is to show the host's honor at receiving the guest. This was especially important in the ancient times when men thought gods was especially important in the ancient times when men thought gods mingled amongst them. If you had played host to a deity (a concept mingled amongst them. If you had played host to a deity (a concept known as known as theoxeniatheoxenia) and performed poorly, you would incur the wrath ) and performed poorly, you would incur the wrath of a god.of a god.

The Trojan war described in the The Trojan war described in the IliadIliad resulted from a violation of xenia. resulted from a violation of xenia. Paris was a guest of Menelaus but seriously transgressed the bounds of Paris was a guest of Menelaus but seriously transgressed the bounds of xenia by abducting his host's wife, Helen. Therefore the Achaeans were xenia by abducting his host's wife, Helen. Therefore the Achaeans were required by duty to Zeus to avenge this transgression, which as a required by duty to Zeus to avenge this transgression, which as a violation of xenia was an insult to Zeus's authority, resulting in the war.violation of xenia was an insult to Zeus's authority, resulting in the war.

Nostos – Nostos – ““homecominghomecoming””

The idea of a glorious return from war.The idea of a glorious return from war.

In the In the IliadIliad, nostos cannot be obtained , nostos cannot be obtained without the sacking of Troy, which is without the sacking of Troy, which is the driving force behind the driving force behind Agamemnon's will to win at any cost. Agamemnon's will to win at any cost. In the In the OdysseyOdyssey, nostos is the main , nostos is the main theme of Odysseustheme of Odysseus’’ journey. journey.

Kleos - Kleos - ““gloryglory””

The ancient Greek concept of glory The ancient Greek concept of glory that is earned through battle. that is earned through battle.

For most epic characters, kleos For most epic characters, kleos comes as the hero returns home.comes as the hero returns home.

Achilles is offered kleos aphthiton Achilles is offered kleos aphthiton (( ““fame imperishablefame imperishable””))

Hubris – “excessive pride”Hubris – “excessive pride”

The chief flaw for Odysseus to overcome.The chief flaw for Odysseus to overcome.

Hubris comes from a hero being aware of Hubris comes from a hero being aware of their own greatness. Achilles faces his their own greatness. Achilles faces his own hubris when his pride causes his own hubris when his pride causes his comrade Patroclus’s death. Odysseus comrade Patroclus’s death. Odysseus must overcome his need to be recognized must overcome his need to be recognized for being a smarty-pants in thefor being a smarty-pants in the Odyssey Odyssey..

Arete – “excellence”Arete – “excellence”

Can be defined as Can be defined as ““excellenceexcellence”” or or ““virtuevirtue””… or…… or…

As a way to describe heroes and As a way to describe heroes and their mobile dexterity, with special their mobile dexterity, with special reference to strength and courage reference to strength and courage

AristeiaAristeia Literally Literally ““a warriora warrior’’s prowesss prowess”” – an aristeia scene – an aristeia scene

depicts a herodepicts a hero’’s finest moments in battle.. to s finest moments in battle.. to almost a berserker level.almost a berserker level.

The format of an aristeia:The format of an aristeia: Arming scene Arming scene Brilliance of armor/hero to followers Brilliance of armor/hero to followers Initial exploit Initial exploit Setback (wounding) Setback (wounding) Divine inspirationDivine inspiration Renewed exploits Renewed exploits Double simile Double simile The kill The kill Taunting the victim Taunting the victim